what does in mean to test positive fo anti nuclear antibody on a blood test?

Answer 1

Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are unusual antibodies that can bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. They are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. ANAs are indicative of the potential presence of an autoimmune illness such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma, Hashimoto thyroiditis, juvenile diabetes mellitus, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis. ANAs can also be found in patients with chronic infections and cancer. Many medications including procainamide (PROCAN SR), hydralazine, and dilantin can stimulate the production of ANAs.

A positive test result may suggest an autoimmune disease, but further specific testing is required to assist in making a final diagnosis. The presenting symptoms, if any, are also important in making a final diagnosis. ANA test results can be positive in people without any known autoimmune disease. While this is not common, the frequency of a false positive ANA result increases as people get older.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It means the immune system is making chemicals that may attack parts of the body such as joints. It matters how strongly positive the test is. A weak test usually doesn't mean much. The test can turn positive with older age and that doesn't mean much either. Lupus is an example of a health problem that can have a positive anitnuclear antibody test. A rheumatologist is a type of doctor that can help regarding this.

Answer 4

A high ana test result is usually considered by medical professionals to be an indicator that something serious MIGHT be going on in a person's body. The problem, I think, is that it's too non-specific to know where further investigation might be indicated. If your mom and sister are not experiencing any worrisome symptoms, their doctors might decide to take a "wait and see" approach and test the ana levels again later. Sometimes it just means that the body is dealing with some inflammation or infection that will resolve itself. If the levels stay high after another test, I think they should then have further tests done to try to determine what's going on.

Answer 5

It means your immune system is producing antibodies to your own body. Although some healthy people can have titres of around 1:10-1:40 (range estimates vary), over that may be suggestive of an autoimmune condition.

You're allergic to yourself, basically.

:-)

Answer 6

A positive ANA is suggestive for but not speciffically diagnostic for certain connective disease states. Other testing and clinical information is needed to make a specific diagnosis. It is potentially positive in SLE, drug induced lupus, Sjogrens, scleroderma, rheumatoid, polymyositis and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Correlation with one of four Fluorescent patterns is helpful.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It could possiblly mean lupus or other diseases: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lupus/AN00655